#3- Pumping is EXPENSIVE! (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)

To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #3: Pumping is expensive! I always heard mommas say that breastfeeding is free… but let me tell you- pumping is NOT! I wish I knew how expensive it would get and better yet, how to save money on the things I needed.

Whether you’re a working parent, dealing with latching issues, or simply want to share feeding responsibilities, pumping can be a crucial part of your journey — and a surprisingly expensive one. Let’s break down the true cost of pumping and how you can save money without sacrificing quality or comfort.

The Hidden Costs of Breast Pumping — and How to Save Money

The Real Costs of Breast Pumping

You’d think once you have a pump, you’re set, right? Not exactly. Here are some of the key expenses you might run into, and what I wish I knew about each:

1. The Breast Pump Itself

• Price range: $50 to $500+
  >>> I WISH I KNEW- that most exclusive pumpers have more than one pump! Yes, many mommas can get a breast pump free through insurance but I didn’t realize how much trial and error there would be in exclusive pumping. I ended up with 4 pumps- 3 of which I purchased at full price. I even shelled out an extra $50 to upgrade my “free” insurance pump to a blue Spectra S1 (rechargeable) instead of the free pink version.

2. Replacement Parts

• Valves, membranes, tubing, and flanges wear out quickly, especially if you pump often.
  >>> I WISH I KNEW- that I’d be trying out many flange sizes and styles and I experimented with the best fit and greatest comfort, so I’d be spending money on parts I didn’t even end up using very much!

3. Bottles & Storage Bags

• Milk storage bags are single-use, adding up fast.
  >>> I WISH I KNEW- that I’d never end up using the larger baby bottles, as my babies never took more than a 5oz bottle could hold! I did spend a lot of money on storage bags for freezing, though… I found out quickly that the store brand from Target or Walmart are just fine and cheaper!

4. Accessories & Comfort Items

• Pumping bras, nipple cream, cleaning wipes, sterilizers, cooler bags — the list grows.
  >>> I WISH I KNEW- that these aren’t luxuries, they were essentials for comfort and convenience since I spent months and months pumping! I also wish I put a lot of these things on my registry… but I didn’t realize I’d be exclusively pumping!

5. Food & Supplements

• Breastfeeding consumes around 500 calories a day, so it’s important to eat extra protein and healthy fats. Many mommas also end up buying cookies and supplements in an attempt to boost supply
  >>> I WISH I KNEW- that supplements are not the best way to boost supply and can end up costing soooo much! And if you really want cookies, make them yourself! So much cheaper and tastier!

6. Time

• Time is money, honey. The act of pumping — setting up, cleaning, storing, and feeding — takes time out of your day, often unpaid.
  >>> I WISH I KNEW- how to multitask to make the most of the time spent pumping. I wrote about many ways to multitask while pumping in THIS blog.

Tips to Save Money on Pumping

Luckily, there are smart ways to cut down on costs without cutting corners. I had to learn this over time… so go easy on yourself if you haven’t thought of some of these tricks on your own! Pumping is a labor of love — but it shouldn’t be a financial burden. The key is to plan ahead, know your options, and take advantage of resources available to you. Every penny saved is a little less stress and a little more support during an already demanding phase of parenthood.
>>> I’ll include my own advice to how to know whether to SAVE or SPLURGE on specific items for breast pumping!

✅ Check Your Insurance

• In many countries (like the U.S. where I live), insurance plans are required to cover a breast pump. Contact your provider early in pregnancy to find out what’s covered- you might find different pump options covered through different companies, so don’t limit yourself!
  >>> SAVE- Take advantage of this! Even if you already have a pump, get that free insurance pump!
  >>>SPLURGE- If you’re going to exclusively pump, use the free pump through insurance to get a sturdy workhorse of a pump (like Spectra) and splurge on a more portable option to give yourself more freedom and flexibility.

✅ Go Manual

• Manual pumps are inexpensive and useful for occasional pumping or on-the-go emergencies. You know I love love love my manual pump!
  >>> SAVE- Put that manual pump on your registry! I know many nursing mommas who still use one from time to time!
  >>>SPLURGE- If you already have an electric pump, get a manual, too! Believe me, you need a manual pump!

✅ Save on Replacement Parts

• Amazon offers compatible replacement parts (flanges, tubes, valves, etc) for a lower price.
  >>> SAVE- Know what parts you’ll REALLY need to replace… the internet will tell you to replace everything. In my personal and professional opinion, unless something is damaged, only the valves need replacing regularly (monthly for EPers, 3 months for occasional pumpers)
  >>>SPLURGE- I personally loved my Lacteck silicone flanges, which were more expensive. It was SO worth it for comfort and durability- I never had to replace them!

✅ Buy or find free pumps and accessories

• Many moms sell or giveaway lightly used pumps. If you buy one second-hand, replace all the parts that come into contact with milk (flanges, valves, tubing) for hygiene and efficiency.
  >>> SAVE- Check your local mom groups on Facebook to see if anyone has a pump or accessories to give you. Breastfeeding moms know how expensive pumping can be and are often eager to help out!
  >>>SPLURGE- While Facebook marketplace does not allow the sale of pumps, ebay does! If you can select a new one over a used one, that’s usually the way to go!

✅ Use Reusable Storage Bags

• Some brands offer washable, reusable silicone storage bags. A bigger upfront investment, but they pay off in the long run.
  >>> SAVE- Honestly I love the cheap freezer bags from Walmart or Target, especially if you’re going to be a milk donor! (Actually, if you are donating milk to a local mom, THEY should buy your freezer bags for ya!)
  >>>SPLURGE- The price on some of these might look $$ at first, but they are reusable! The Ceres Chill Milkstache freezing system works well for this! I wish I had this myself!
  

✅ DIY Sterilizing

• Instead of expensive sterilizing gadgets, sterilize pump parts by boiling them or using microwave-safe sterilizing bags (which are reusable up to 20+ times).
  >>> SAVE- I wish I got a microwave sterilizer like THIS instead of buying all those disposable bags! I now get this as presents for my pumping friends.
  >>>SPLURGE- My friend exclusively pumped for two babies and is SO glad she splurged on a countertop bottle washer and sterilizer! It wasn’t for me, but it was a game changer for her!

✅ Find Discount Codes

• A simple google search will help you find discount codes for name-brand products!
  >>> SAVE- Here’s my list of discount codes to get started!

Melissa’s final thoughts:

>>> I’m glad I spent money on:

• Multiple pumps! Here are the pumps I had and my thoughts on them.
• Quality products like Lacteck flanges and Sarah Wells bags. The flanges were a total game changer for comfort, and the Sarah Wells bag was the treat I needed to keep me motivated!

>>> I regret spending money on:

• My Elvie pump. I shelled out $500 out of pocket and barely used it. I wish I would have found a gently used one for far less $$$ or opted for a lower cost wearable.
• So many bottles! My babies never even ended up using larger bottles!
• Cookies and supplements! Supplements are a band-aid fix at best, and lactation cookies are cheaper and tastier if you make them yourself!
• Baby shoes (Okay, this is not pumping-related, but why do people buy shoes for babies? So silly, LOL.)

Got more hacks or ways you saved money while pumping? Share them in the comments below — your tips could be a lifesaver for another parent!